Cornfield+By+Lewis+v.+Consolidated+High+School

Posted By: Hannah Dyal

Brian CORNFIELD, a minor, By his Mother and next friend, Janet LEWIS v. CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 230, Richard Spencer, and James Frye United States Supreme Court Argued November 12, 1992 Decided April 23, 1993 Background: Brian Cornfield was a student at Carl Sandberg High School. He was enrolled in a behavioral disorder program. After being caught outside of the school building during class time, Cornfield was brought back inside and escorted to class. The teachers believed he was hiding something in his crotch area since it was unusually bulging. The teacher and principal phoned his mother to receive permission to search him. His mother did not allow the search. They proceeded to search him anyway. In the gym locker room, the teachers locked the door and forced Cornfield to remove all clothing and put on a gym uniform.

Decision and Rationale: The court ruled in favor of the administrators who conducted the search of Cornfield. After evaluating his record of misconduct, they search was ruled reasonable. Schools can implement a search on a student if it is in the best interest of that school and there is reasonable suspicion for concern.

Impact on Teaching:  Teachers in schools are now safer thanks to the Supreme Court’s ruling in //Cornfield v. Consolidated School District 230//. Any student that presents reasonable concern for a teacher can be searched thus providing a safer, more secure, environment for teaching and learning.

Question: True/Flase- Teachers or administrators can search students who provide reasonable suspicion.

**Eric Miller** Brian CORNFIELD, a minor, By his Mother and next friend, Janet LEWIS v. CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 230, Richard Spencer, and James Frye United States Supreme Court Argued November 12, 1992 Decided April 23, 1993 Brian Cornfield, a student enrolled in a behavioral correction program, violated school rules at Carl Sandburg High School. Kathy Stacey, the teacher’s aide whom found Brian outside the school, noticed an excessive bulge in the student’s pants. Automatically she assumed that Brian was concealing contraband in his pants. The suspicion was reported to Brian teacher, Richard Spencer, and the Dean of the school, Richard Frye. The student was detained in the dean’s office and was then accused of their suspicions. Mrs. Cornfield, Brian’s mother, was contacted and was asked for permission to search her son, she refused. Dean Frye and Mr. Spencer then decided if they couldn’t search Brian they would have him dress out for gym to allow them inspect Brian without search.
 * Background:**

The Courts decided that school boards are empowered to search students with reasonable suspicion and to request the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of conducting reasonable searches of school grounds and lockers for illegal drugs, including searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.
 * Decision and Rational**

This court case now allows teachers to protect the members of the school by searching students that are suspected of concealing contraband that may be potentially harmful or illegal. This court case also determined that school administrators can involve law enforcement for proper legal procedures and techniques.
 * Impact on Teaching**

**Question:** Should police only have the authority to search students of contraband? Why?